High Specific Surface Area Research Articles

Degradation of organic dyes by Peroxymonosulfate activated with Zn/Co-ZIF

In this study, we successfully synthesized a bimetallic metal-organic framework material Zn/Co-ZIF to start Peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for organic dye degradation in the water body. Material characterization was evaluated by advanced methods, such as XRD, FT-IR, SEM, EDX, and BET. The influence of different factors on methylene blue (MB) decomposition rate was investigated. The results show that Zn/Co-ZIF has a porous structure, a high specific surface area and decomposes 98.22% MB (20 mg/L) in 4 minutes under reaction conditions of 40 mg/L catalyst, 0.814mM PMS, pH = 7. The decomposition efficiency of dyes increases in the order CR (79.85%) <RhB (90.81 %) < DB71 (96.07%) < MO (97.63%) < MB (98.22%). The main ROS for the degradation MB in this study were SO4—-, O2—- and 1O2. This shows that Zn/Co-ZIF materials are potential heterogeneous catalysts to activate PMS to decompose organic pollutants in water.

INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECT OF AN IMPREGNATING AGENT ON THE SORPTION CHARACTERISTICS OF A CARBON-SILICON SORBENT

Efforts to control the spread of airborne respiratory pathogens in enclosed public spaces have become particularly relevant due to the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the control methods is the use of bactericidal filters for ventilation air purification systems in enclosed public spaces in order to effectively remove pathogenic microorganisms from the air environment. The impregnated sorbents developed in this work are used as a filter material. The purpose of the work is investigation of the effect of an impregnating agent on the sorption characteristics of a carbon-silicon sorbent used as the basis of bactericidal filters for air purification. Methodology. It has been established that carbonation makes it possible to obtain more durable carbon sorbents with a high specific surface area. According to the results of X-ray dispersion analysis, carbonized rice husk contains 86.57% carbon and 1.75% silicon. Results and discussion. The effect of the carbonization process on the specific surface area and specific volume of the initial sorbent has been studied. The specific surface area was measured and the pore size of impregnated carbon-silicon sorbents was measured. The study of the effect of impregnating agents on the sorption characteristics of a carbon-silicon sorbent showed that an increase in the concentration of chlorhexidine and tannin in the composition leads to an increase in the specific surface area and specific pore volume of sorbents. Conclusion. It was found that the impregnation of a carbon sorbent leads to an increase in the specific surface area from 320 g/m2 to 350 g/m 2, the specific pore volume from 0.1256 cm3/g to 0.1399 cm3/g.

Carbohydrate-Derived Superhydrophilic Carbon Aerogels and Their Effects on Seedling Growth of Triticum aestivum.

Synthesis methods of carbon nanomaterials have been developed vigorously in recent years, among which a simple, green, and mature approach is of more research significance. Carbon nanomaterials have depicted an impact on the growth and development of plants. In this study, a new type of carbon nanomaterial, superhydrophilic carbon aerogel (CA), was synthesized via a hydrothermal process using carbohydrates and water-soluble polymers as raw materials. Characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, and N2 adsorption analysis, the exemplified CA presented to have porous three-dimensional network structure composed of individual particles with diameters of 25 nm, with reactive surface, single composition, high specific surface area (89.94 m2·g-1), and wide range of density variation. The 9 mg·mL-1 CA suspension had a significant positive effect on the root growth of wheat seedlings, with promoted root elongation (about 67.17% longer) and root diameter (about 28.95% thicker) compared with those of the control group. The cytological results suggested that CA treatment triggered the propagation of meristematic cells, and the increased number of meristematic cells (65.79% more than the control group) led to enhanced root growth by upregulated expression of related phytohormone genes in wheat seedlings.

Research Advances in Electrospun Nanofiber Membranes for Non-Invasive Medical Applications

Non-invasive medical nanofiber technology, characterized by its high specific surface area, biocompatibility, and porosity, holds significant potential in various medical domains, including tissue repair and biosensing. It is increasingly becoming central to healthcare by offering safer and more efficient treatment options for contemporary medicine. Numerous studies have explored non-invasive medical nanofibers in recent years, yet a comprehensive overview of the field remains lacking. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive summary of the applications of electrospun nanofibers in non-invasive medical fields, considering multiple aspects and perspectives. Initially, we introduce electrospinning nanofibers. Subsequently, we detail their applications in non-invasive health, including health monitoring, personal protection, thermal regulation, and wound care, highlighting their critical role in improving human health. Lastly, this paper discusses the current challenges associated with electrospun nanofibers and offers insights into potential future development trajectories.

Ti3C2Tx MXene deposition: A simple surface engineering technique for dual enhancement of biological functions for nonbearing applications

Implant-associated complications, such as infection and poor osseointegration, present significant challenges in the field of biomedical implants. To address these issues, it is crucial to develop implant surfaces that possess both bacteriostatic and osteoconductive properties. In recent years, the field of surface modification for metallic substrates using two-dimensional materials has emerged as a highly promising strategy to enhance their biological properties. Among these materials, MXenes stand out as an excellent candidate for surface modifications due to their unique properties, such as biocompatibility, high specific surface area, and tunable chemical composition. In the present study, we introduce a simple deposition method of Ti3C2Tx MXene films on SS316L substrates to improve surface-cell interactions. The differentiation study demonstrated the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzyme activity on Ti3C2Tx-MXene-coated samples without osteogenic medium compared to uncoated samples in both, basic and osteogenic media. Moreover, the bacteriostatic character of the deposited MXene-coatings was confirmed against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus as well as Gram-negative Escherichia coli bacteria. The improved stimulation of both cell osteogenic differentiation and distinctive antimicrobial features triggered by Ti3C2Tx-MXene-coatings emphasizes their great potential as implant surface modifiers to improve integration and reduce the risk of infection in various biomedical applications.

Transferring red mud to efficient adsorbent for the adsorption and immobilization of Ni(Ⅱ) from aqueous solution

Red mud, a solid waste produced in large quantities, possesses a high specific surface area and is rich in metal oxides, making it a promising material for adsorbent preparation. However, its practical application is constrained by its relatively low adsorption capacity and the potential environmental risks it poses. This study focused on the preparation of modified red mud (MRM) with enhanced adsorption performance for Ni2+ using a hydrothermal method involving sodium hydroxide and colloidal silica. The maximum adsorption capacity of MRM for Ni2+ reached 8.22 mmol·g–1, a substantial improvement compared to raw red mud (0.28 mmol·g–1) and sulfuric acid-activated red mud (0.46 mmol·g–1). The pseudo-second-order kinetic and Langmuir isotherm models accurately described the monolayer chemical adsorption process of Ni2+ on MRM. Additionally, leaching tests with simulated rainwater demonstrated that Ni-loaded MRM exhibited high stability, suggesting its potential for safe stockpiling or repurposing, such as in construction materials. Sequential extraction, XRD, FT-IR, and XPS results revealed that cation exchange was the primary mechanism in the adsorption process, with Ni2+ being immobilized within the zeolite framework structure of MRM, contributing to its strong adsorption stability. Inner-sphere complex formation also played a role in Ni2+ adsorption. In conclusion, this method offers an effective approach to both red mud utilization and heavy metal removal from wastewater, presenting a practical solution for waste management through resource recovery and environmental remediation.

Rapid and selective separation of heavy metal ions from aquatic medium using a bidentate functionalized hybrid material

Low-cost mesoporous silica material, functionalized with a bidentate pyrazolyl pyridine metal acceptor and presenting a high specific surface area of 417 m²/g, was synthesized (mSi-L3) using a two-step procedure and characterized in detail to confirm the successful covalent binding onto silica surface. Notably, mSi-L3 exhibited strong selectivity for PbII among CdII and CuII ions, and displayed rapid metal ion removal, typically less than 10 min, from water samples.The influence of various environmental parameters on the adsorption process, such as pH, contact time and temperature, was systematically investigated. Optimal adsorption of metal ions was achieved at pH 6, as lower pH values reduced the availability of active sites due to competitive hydronium ion presence. Kinetic studies indicated that the adsorption process adhered to the pseudo-second-order model, suggesting a chemisorption mechanism. Temperature significantly influenced the adsorption capacity, with increased temperatures enhancing metal ion removal and confirming the endothermic nature of the process. The isotherm study suggests that the Langmuir model accurately describes the adsorption process, confirming that CuII, CdII and PbII ions are adsorbed as a monolayer on the homogeneous surface of m-SiL3 material, implying that the material has uniform adsorption sites where each metal ion occupies a distinct site without interaction with neighbouring ions. These findings underscore the importance of optimizing environmental conditions to maximize the efficiency of mSi-L3 for heavy metal removal. Also, mSi-L3 demonstrated excellent stability, with only a slight (∼1−3 %) decrease in functional groups on its surface after multiple regeneration cycles. Extensive analytical studies conducted with real water samples provided further evidence of the stability and effectiveness of mSi-L3 for the separation of metal trace elements of lead, copper and cadmium.

NiMoO4@NiSe2 microspheres as electrode materials for high-performance supercapacitor

Supercapacitors as novel sustainable energy conversion systems have been a hot spot owing to their high specific capacitance and excellent cycle stabilities. However, the poor electron conductivity limits their further applications. Herein, we synthesize NiMoO4@NiSe2 samples by a controllable hydrothermal route. The heterogeneous structure consists of high conductive nanosheets and high capacitive particles. It can slow down the collapse of electrode materials and enhance the conductivity of material. It also facilitates ion diffusion and faradaic redox reaction, thereby improves the electrochemical performance. The as-synthesized electrode presents a specific capacity of 1193 C g-1 at 1 A g-1 and maintains 82.9 % of the initial capacitance after 10,000 times cycles. A hybrid capacitor is constructed using the composites as the electrode material. It possesses a capacitance of 101 C g-1 at 1 A g-1 and 85.8 % of the retention rate after 10,000 times charging-discharging. This impressive performance of composite could be attributed to their mesoporous surface with high specific surface area (48 m2g-1). Moreover, the supercapacitor shows excellent flexibility after folding, exhibiting a wide application prospect in the field of supercapacitors.

In Situ Built ZnS/MXene Heterostructure by a Mild Method for Inhibiting Polysulfide Shuttle in Li-S Batteries.

With high specific surface area, excellent polysulfide conversion activity, and fast electron/ion transfer at the interface, MXene-derived heterostructures can be employed as catalysts for lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries to accelerate sulfur redox kinetics and suppress shuttle effect. However, the preparation of MXene-derived heterostructures often requires high-temperature reactions, which can easily lead to the oxidation of MXene and sacrifice the electrical conductivity. Herein, a catalytic two-dimensional heterostructure (ZnS/MXene) was successfully synthesized via a mild method. The MXene skeleton retains the original nanosheet structure without oxidation. The in situ-grown ZnS nanospheres prevent the restacking of MXene nanosheets, which not only increases the active sites, but also guarantees channels for the fast passage of lithium ions. The interfacial built-in electric field further promotes electron/ion migration, thereby expediting the polysulfide conversion and suppressing the shuttle effect. Consequently, the batteries using ZnS/MXene modified separators exhibit a high initial discharge capacity of 1230 mAh g-1 at 0.1 C and a low decaying rate of 0.082% per cycle after 500 cycles at 0.5 C. This work offers a reference for the fabrication of MXene-based heterostructure in Li-S batteries.

Co2P/CoP embedded in N, P, S triply-doped hollow carbon towards enhanced oxygen electrocatalysis

Simultaneously dispersing phosphide crystallites and multiple heteroatoms in hollow carbon is a significant yet challenging task for achieving high-performance oxygen electrocatalysts of zinc-air batteries. Herein, a simple wrapping-pyrolysis strategy is proposed to prepare Co2P/CoP embedded in N, P, S triply-doped hollow carbon (Co2P/CoP@NPS-HC). Co2P/CoP@NPS-HC composite features hollow polyhedral structure populated with numerous catalytically active Co2P/CoP nanoparticles and N, P, S heteroatoms. This optimized catalyst exhibits excellent activity for oxygen reduction reaction, with a half-wave potential of 0.82 V vs. RHE, and impressive enhancement for oxygen evolution reaction, indicated by an overpotential of 400 mV at 10 mA cm−2. Moreover, Co2P/CoP@NPS-HC catalyst exhibits greater durability and superior methanol tolerance compared to commercial Pt/C. The excellent bifunctional electrocatalytic performance of Co2P/CoP@NPS-HC catalyst is attributed to the synergistic effect of uniformly dispersed Co2P/CoP nanoparticles and N, P, S triply-doped hollow carbon structure. The former provides abundant catalytically active sites, while the latter offers a high accessible specific surface area, as well as enhances catalytic activity and electronic conductivity due to its altered charge distribution.

Uniform carbon pillars array grown on boron doped diamond for high-performance supercapacitors and hydrogen evolution reactions

Carbon materials have marvelous ability in energy storage and microelectronics as a result of the high specific surface area and electrical conductivity. However, the low stability and the low power density caused by low potential window make it particularly difficult for their application in aqueous electrolysis. In this study, boron doped diamond (BDD) with wide potential window is used as substrate and Ni as catalyst to grow uniform carbon pillars (CP) by microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition method. The composite structure (CP/BDD) yields significant specific capacity (91.64 mF cm−2 at 0.1 mA cm−2) and cycling stability (92.3 % retention rate after 20,000 cycles) when used as the electrode of supercapacitors, superior to most of BDD-based electrodes. The prepared symmetrical supercapacitor devices maintain their excellent electrochemical performance characteristics (power density of 4.4 mW cm−2 and energy density of 13.4 μW h cm−2), as well as high cycling stability. In addition, the electrode has considerable application potential in electrochemical hydrogen production with low hydrogen evolution potential and small Tafel slope value. These results illustrate the potential of BDD based composites for using as energy storage electrodes for electronic products and energy conversion equipment.

Combining SiO2 NPs with biochar: a novel composite for enhanced cadmium removal from wastewater and alleviation of soil cadmium stress.

Cadmium (Cd) pollution in water and soil seriously threatens human health. Biochar and nanomaterials have high potential for solving the cadmium pollution problem due to their abundant pores and high specific surface area. Here, the preparation of the composite material SiO2NPs@BC (SBC) using SiO2 NPs (SN) and silkworm excrement biochar (BC) is described, along with its application in the remediation of cadmium-contaminated water and soil. Characterization experiments (SEM&EDS, BET, FTIR, XRD, and XPS) demonstrated that SiO2NPs@BC has a high specific surface area (46.5767m2/g), a well-developed pore structure (0.608375cm3/g), and abundant surface functional groups (Si-C, Si-O, Si-O-Si), providing active sites for the adsorption of Cd. Batch adsorption experiments in water showed that the adsorption capacity of SBC is higher than that of biochar (BC) and SN, with a maximum Langmuir adsorption capacity of 141.99mg/g. After five adsorption cycles, the removal rate of SBC was 73.04%, significantly higher than the 64.97% obtained for BC. The application of SBC not only improved the soil physicochemical properties by increasing the soil pH, the cation exchange capacity, and the soil organic matter content but also by reducing the amount of DTPA-Cd (24.6%) and the plant bioconcentration factor (28.28%) in the soil, converting Cd into more stable fractions (Red-Cd, Ox-Cd). Based on the results, SBC can effectively reduce Cd pollution.

A novel dual-detection electrochemiluminescence sensor for the selective detection of Hg2⁺ and Zn2⁺: Signal suppression and activation mechanisms

In this study, we developed a novel covalent organic framework (COF) material, termed RuCOFs, specifically designed and synthesized for electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensor applications. RuCOFs are based on the classic ECL emitter Ru(dcbpy)32+, ingeniously integrating 4,4′,4''-(1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triyl) triphenylamine (TAPT) with [2,2′-bipyridine]-5,5′-diamine (BPYDA), forming a structure with a high specific surface area. This configuration not only significantly enhances the stability of the ECL signal but also provides ideal N,N′-bipyridine chelating sites for efficient metal ion recognition. Utilizing Ru(dcbpy)32+-functionalized COF (RuCOFs), a novel dual-function ECL sensor was developed, achieving high sensitivity and selectivity in detecting mercury (Hg2⁺) and zinc (Zn2⁺) ions. Experimental results indicate that Hg2⁺ significantly quenches the ECL signal, while Zn2⁺ markedly enhances it, with detection limits of 4.71 nM for Hg2⁺ and 6.57 nM for Zn2⁺ across a wide linear response range from 1 μM to 1 nM. This research not only demonstrates the significant advantages of COF-based ECL sensing platforms in tracking environmental metal ions but also opens new possibilities for environmental monitoring.

Efficient Uranium Removal from Aqueous Solutions Using Silica-Based Adsorbents Functionalized with Various Polyamines.

With the rapid development of nuclear energy, the contamination of environmental water systems by uranium has become a significant threat to human health. To efficiently remove uranium from these systems, three types of silica-based polyamine resins-SiPMA-DETA (SiPMA: silica/poly methyl acrylate; DETA: diethylenetriamine), SiPMA-TETA (TETA: triethylenetetramine), and SiPMA-TEPA (TEPA: tetraethylenepentamine)-were successfully prepared, characterized, and evaluated in batch experiments. Characterization results showed that the silica-based polyamine resins were successfully prepared, and they exhibited a uniform shape and high specific surface area. SiPMA-DETA, SiPMA-TETA, and SiPMA-TEPA had nitrogen contents of 4.08%, 3.72%, and 4.26%, respectively. Batch experiments indicated that these adsorbents could efficiently remove uranium from aqueous solutions with a pH of 5-9. The adsorption kinetics of U(VI) were consistent with the pseudo-second-order model, indicating that the adsorption process was chemisorption and that adsorption equilibrium was achieved within 10 min. SiPMA-TEPA, with the longest polyamine chain, exhibited the highest adsorption capacity (>198.95 mg/g), while SiPMA-DETA, with the shortest polyamine chain, demonstrated the highest U(VI) adsorption efficiency (83%) with 100 mM Na2SO4. SiPMA-TEPA still removed over 90% of U(VI) from river water and tap water. The spectral analysis revealed that the N-containing functional groups on the ligand were bound to anionic uranium-carbonate species and possibly contributed to the adsorption efficiency. In general, this work presents three effective adsorbents for removing uranium from environmental water systems and thus significantly contributes to the field of environmental protection.

Fabrication of a novel Ag2S-ZnS/ZIF-8 hollow heterojunction by in-situ formation of Ag2S and ZnS on ZIF-8 with enhanced tetracycline degradation performance

Currently, antibiotics are extensively utilized in the pharmaceutical industry to assist humans and animals in combating various infectious diseases. The extensive use of various antibiotics enhances the quality of life. However, it can also have negative effects on the environment and human health, including water pollution and the rise of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms. To date, antibiotics have been detected in rivers, groundwater, and even drinking water. There is an urgent need to design and develop advanced materials for the remediation of antibiotics present in our environment. In this paper, we successfully synthesized a novel Ag2S-ZnS/ZIF-8 hollow heterojunction via facile sulphuration and solvothermal methods. This heterojunction was employed as a catalyst for the degradation of tetracycline (TC) in water under UV and visible light irradiation. The physicochemical properties of the as-synthesized catalysts were thoroughly analyzed using XRD, EDS, SEM, BET, XPS, TEM, ESR, UV–vis techniques. The results demonstrate that Ag2S-ZnS/ZIF-8 displays enhanced photocatalytic activity for TC degradation no matter under visible or UV light irradiation. After 10 min of UV light irradiation, its photocatalytic degradation efficiency was achieved 92.74 %. Additionally, Ag2S-ZnS/ZIF-8 was able to degrade 92.14 % of TC (visible light, with 35 min). The corresponding kinetic rate constant of Ag2S-ZnS/ZIF-8 is 0.145 min−1 (UV light) and 0.043 min−1 (visible light), respectively. Furthermore, Ag2S-ZnS/ZIF-8 also shown excellent stability for the degradation of TC in the presence of visible light. This is a result of its high specific surface area, superior photocurrent and efficient separation of photo-generated electrons-hole pairs. Apart from this, the photocatalytic degradation mechanism of TC over Ag2S-ZnS/ZIF-8 is discussed in detail.

The release behavior and in vitro osteogenesis of quercetin-loaded bioactive glass/hyaluronic acid/sodium alginate nanocomposite paste

Injectable pastes based on bioactive compounds and natural polymers are of interest in non-invasive bone surgeries. Several quantities of quercetin (100, 150, and 200 μM) were added to a sol-gel derived mesoporous bioactive glass. Injectable pastes based on quercetin-loaded bioactive glass, sodium alginate, and hyaluronic acid were prepared. Aggregated nanoparticles of bioactive glass and quercetin-loaded bioactive glass with mesoporous morphologies were confirmed by TEM and BET techniques. The quercetin release study was assessed in phosphate-buffered solution medium over 200 h and the obtained data were fitted by different eqs. A sustained release of quercetin was found, in which a better regression coefficient was achieved using Weibull equation. Human-derived mesenchymal stem cells were utilized to determine alkaline phosphatase activity and bone-related protein expression by western blotting and real-time PCR evaluations. Quercetin-loaded pastes increased the levels of alkaline phosphatase activity and the expression of Collagen-1, Osteopontin, Osteocalcin, and Runx2 proteins in a concentration-dependent manner. Due to the mesoporous architecture and high specific surface area of bioactive glass, the paste made of these particles and sodium alginate/hyaluronic acid macromolecules is appropriate matrix for quercetin release, resulting in promoted osteogenesis. The further in vivo studies can support the osteogenesis capacity of the quercetin-loaded paste.

Comparing low-temperature NH3-SCR activity, operating temperature window and kinetic properties of the Mn-Fe-Nb/TiO2 catalysts prepared by different methods

In order to overcome the shortcomings of traditional V-based catalysts, such as poor low-temperature activity, narrow temperature window, and toxicity. Therefore, the Mn-Fe-Nb/TiO2 catalysts were prepared using impregnation (IM), citric acid complexation (CA), co-precipitation (CP), hydrothermal synthesis (HY), and sol–gel (SG) methods to develop novel NH3 selective catalytic reduction (NH3-SCR) catalysts with excellent low-temperature activity, a wide temperature window, and environmental friendliness. Their NH3-SCR catalytic activity was evaluated, followed by a detailed analysis of their morphology, structure, specific surface area, chemical state, redox properties, acidity, and interactions using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Bruaner-Emmet-Teller (BET), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), H2 temperature-programmed reduction (H2-TPR), NH3 temperature-programmed desorption (NH3-TPD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques. The 5Mn-7Fe-4Nb/TiO2-SG catalyst, prepared via sol–gel, exhibited the highest denitrification (de-NOx) activity and the widest operating temperature window, achieving over 80% Nitric oxide (NO) conversion at 180–350 °C and a peak conversion of 97% at 250 °C. The XRD, BET, SEM, and HR-TEM characterization results showed that the catalyst prepared using the sol–gel method had the smallest particles, the highest specific surface area, and the greatest dispersion. XPS and NH3-TPD results revealed that the catalyst prepared using the sol–gel method possessed the highest surface adsorbed oxygen (Oα) content and the largest number of acidic sites. H2-TPR and FTIR analyses indicated that the catalyst prepared using the sol–gel method enhanced the reduction capacity and possessed the strongest interaction forces among support-active-promoter components. Steady-state kinetic tests confirmed that in the NH3-SCR reaction, the rate-determining step was the adsorption activation of NO on the catalyst surface. The sol–gel method reduced the activation energy for de-NOx reactions, enhancing the low-temperature activity of the catalyst.

Graphene oxide-containing chitosan@HKUST-1 beads with increased chemical stability for CO2 capture

HKUST-1 MOF was crystallized within chitosan matrix to form xerogel beads using an in-situ growth approach. Under mild conditions, CS@HKUST-1 xerogel beads exhibit high specific surface areas (SBET) up to 923 m2 g−1. By further incorporating graphene oxide (GO) to form ternary CS-GO@HKUST-1 xerogel beads, the HKUST-1 MOF structure remained stable for up to two days in a water solution at room temperature, whereas the MOF powder and CS@HKUST-1 xerogel beads underwent significant framework collapse within a day. CO2 adsorption measurements on these xerogel beads also show promising CO2 uptakes, surpassing 2.5 mmol g−1 at 298 K and 1 bar. Moreover, these composites could be regenerated for more than 10 cycles without any loss of quantity adsorbed.

Comparative Analysis of Biodiesel Produced from Blends of Palm Kernel Shell and Cocoa Pods Oils with Conventional Diesel Fuel: Characterizations, FTIR, GC-MS, XRD and SEM Analysis of the Nano Catalyst

The uncertainty of predicting the conditions of bio oils for the production of quality biofuels and reusability of catalyst, saving cost of production and time, make characterization of the oils/catalyst imperative. Characterization of bio oils, extracted from palm kernel shell and cocoa pods, the blends, catalyst and biodiesel produced therefrom is investigated. A maximum biodiesel yield of 76.05% was obtained at optimal conditions. Titanuim oxide used proved to be efficient catalyst for converting the oil blends to biodiesel. The established results obtained show kinematic viscosity of 5.65 – 7.78 mm2s-1 @ 40 oC, density of 0.8428 – 0.8642 kg/m3, cloud point of 4.48 – 6.48 oC, fire point of 108 – 150 oC, cetane index of 37.78 – 30.13, acid value of mg KOH/g, API gravity of 32.89 – 29, anicidine point of 50 – 46 oC etc. All the values fell within the recommended ASTM and EN standards. The GC-MS, XRD, EDX, SEM, and FTIR analyses carried out to evaluate the quality of the sample with respect to deterioration, gave an ester percentage of 99.9% for the bio-oil and biodiesel, which is within the minimum standard range of not less than 96.5% recommended. The GC-MS of the blended oil shows that the most prevalent fatty acids identified amongst 13 other distinct compounds were methyl linolenate, methyl palmitate, methyl oleate and methyl eicosadinoate with percentage concentrations of 63.03, 26.9, 8.1 and 2% respectively. The XRD analysis confirmed the titanium oxide anatase structure with a peak of 25.4 degrees. The SEM analysis shows high porosity with high specific surface area of the catalyst at magnification of 80 – 269μm; and the FTIR analysis revealed that the functional groups for the bio-oil and blended biodiesel were in range.

Nanozymes in Biomedical Applications: Innovations Originated From Metal-Organic Frameworks.

Nanozymes exhibit significant potential in medical theranostics, environmental protection, energy development, and biopharmaceuticals due to their exceptional catalytic performance. Compared with natural enzymes, nanozymes have the advantages of simple preparation and purification, convenient production and low cost. Therefore, it is very important to prepare nanozymes quickly and efficiently, which not only helps to expand their application scope, but also can further exert their great potential in various fields. Metal-organic frameworks (MOF) materials serve as versatile substrates for constructing nanozymes, offering unique advantages like adjustable structure, high specific surface area, and porous channels. MOF coordination nodes constructed from metal ions or metal clusters have unique properties that can be leveraged to tailor nanozyme characteristics for different applications. This review describes and analyzes recent methods for constructing nanozymes using MOF materials, and explores their application prospects in biomedicine. By expounding the preparation techniques and biomedical applications of nanozymes, this review aims to inspire researchers to develop innovative nanozyme materials and explore new application directions.